AN ORGANISATION which aims to support businesses in Worcester has said that shop owners in Reindeer Court ‘need support more than ever’ after the shopping arcade has recently been decimated by closures.

Reindeer Court, accessed via The Shambles, Mealcheapen Street and New Street in Worcester city centre, has many disused units marked as for sale or let.

Sam McCarthy, projects and marketing manager from Worcester BID, said: “We have always worked closely with the tenants of Reindeer Court, supporting and guiding at tenants meetings of ways they could animate the Court, organise events and drive footfall.

“The businesses have always played an active role in ensuring Reindeer Court is put on the map. Following the recent loss of several businesses this has really left a big gap, not just the loss of the businesses but business leaders who all collaborated to support raising awareness. “Businesses who are currently occupying the Court need support more than ever to be able to recover via landlord support for marketing and presentation of the Court, as well as locals choosing to spend their hard earned money with a local businesses who care about their investment. Reindeer Court is such a unique area of the city in its look and feel as well as its location. It is a true city gem due to Reindeer Court being one of the only areas in the city which is traffic free and would be ideal for start-up businesses and the hospitality sector due to it being protected from the gulls making it a perfect location for outdoor dining.” Paula Farrington, owner of lingerie shop Embrace which has been in Reindeer Court for eight years, said a mix of underinvestment, Covid-related problems and a lack of direct contact with the owners of the arcade had created the issues.

Reindeer Court is managed by Worcester-based property managers Fisher German. We were referred to the relevant people responsible for Reindeer Court but they were not available as we went to press.